Eriogonum ericifolium

Torrey & A. Gray

Proc. Amer. Acad. Arts 8: 170. 1870.

Common names: Heather-leaf wild buckwheat
EndemicConservation concern
Synonyms: Eriogonum mearnsii Parry Eriogonum microtheca subsp. ericifolium (Torrey & A. Gray) S. Stokes Eriogonum microtheca subsp. mearnsii (Parry) S. Stokes
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 5. Mentioned on page 238, 254, 255.
Revision as of 12:48, 28 October 2022 by GeoffLevin (talk | contribs) (Corrected spelling of specific epithet from "microthecum" to "microtheca".)
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Subshrubs, spreading and matted, not scapose, 0.5–1.5 × 0.8–2.5(–3) dm, mostly floccose or glabrous, greenish. Stems spreading, with persistent leaf bases, up to 1/4 height of plant; caudex stems absent or compact; aerial flowering stems spreading to erect, slender, solid, not fistulose, 0.03–0.1 dm, floccose to thinly tomentose. Leaves cauline, 1 per node or fasciculate; petiole 0.1–0.15(–0.2) cm, tomentose; blade linear, 0.6–1 × (0.08–)0.1–0.2 cm, densely white-tomentose adaxially, glabrous and green adaxially, margins revolute. Inflorescences umbellate-cymose to cymose, compact, 0.5–1 × 0.5–2 cm; branches usually dichtomous proximally, otherwise with secondaries suppressed, floccose or glabrous; bracts 3, scalelike, linear, 0.5–1.5 mm. Peduncles absent. Involucres 1 per node, turbinate, 1.5–3(–3.5) × 1–2 mm, floccose; teeth 5, erect, 0.4–0.6 mm. Flowers 2–3(–3.5) mm; perianth white to pink or rose, glabrous; tepals connate proximal 1/4, dimorphic, those of outer whorl obovate, 1.7–2 mm wide, those of inner whorl oblanceolate, 0.8–1 mm wide; stamens slightly exserted, 2–3 mm; filaments pilose proximally. Achenes light brown, 2–2.5 mm, glabrous except for papillate beak.


Phenology: Flowering Aug–Nov.
Habitat: Gravelly or rocky slopes of lacustrine silt, mixed grasslands, chaparral and oak-woodlands
Elevation: 900-1100 m

Discussion

Eriogonum ericifolium is rare and localized, known only from the Verde River Valley of Yavapai County. The species is distinctive, yet some plants appear to approach E. microtheca var. simpsonii. The heather-leaf wild buckwheat is considered a “sensitive” species in Arizona and a candidate for federal protection.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.
... more about "Eriogonum ericifolium"
James L. Reveal +
Torrey & A. Gray +
Undefined subg. Eucycla +
Heather-leaf wild buckwheat +
900-1100 m +
Gravelly or rocky slopes of lacustrine silt, mixed grasslands, chaparral and oak-woodlands +
Flowering Aug–Nov. +
Proc. Amer. Acad. Arts +
Endemic +  and Conservation concern +
Eriogonum mearnsii +, Eriogonum microtheca subsp. ericifolium +  and Eriogonum microtheca subsp. mearnsii +
Eriogonum ericifolium +
Eriogonum subg. Eucycla +
species +